Pedego Advantages

Throttle & Pedal Assist

Throttle

In the United States, we are fortunate to have the luxury of throttles on our electric bikes which are forbidden in Europe.

Throttles provide full power on demand and Americans love them because they give us complete control.

They’re especially helpful for getting started from a standstill (sometimes it can be awkward to gain momentum), getting a quick burst of power to climb a hill, or safely getting through an intersection. If you can’t pedal, or you just don’t feel like it, that’s okay too.

Pedal Assist

They’re most popular among experienced cyclists that want a more natural, “bike-like” riding experience.

Pedal assist is wonderful for long rides with few stops on relatively flat ground, because you can just relax and enjoy the ride without holding a throttle in place. It’s like cruise control.

Both is best

Our experience shows that the ideal electric bike has both pedal assist and a throttle, and the next best thing is one with only a throttle.

All Pedego Electric Bikes sold in the US have a throttle, and many of them also have the option of pedal assist.

We don’t have any bikes that are pedal assist only (except what we send overseas), simply because most people don’t like them. Even if you prefer pedal assist, why wouldn’t you want the option of using a throttle?

Hub Motor vs. Mid Drive

A hub motor is the indisputable choice for most people. The riding experience can’t be beat, and it’s the most affordable option. It’s the best of both worlds!

Pedego speaks from experience on this subject. We’ve experimented with several of the top systems, and we’ve found that most people simply don’t like the way it feels to ride a bike with a mid drive motor – especially when comparing it to our hub motor.

Bottom line: You pay less and get more with hub motors.

The only possible exception to this rule is certain hardcore cyclists that prefer mid drive motors for highly technical mountain biking.

But an overwhelming majority of people come to the same conclusion that we have when comparing hub motors to mid drive motors. There’s really no comparison at all.

There are many great reasons to prefer a hub motor over a mid drive, but the most important reason is impossible to describe. It’s the way they actually feel when you ride them…

We like hub motors better. Most people agree. We think you will too.

Power and Freedom

Most quality mid drive systems come from Europe where strict laws limit the power to 250 watts and forbid the use of a throttle.

American’s are allowed (and prefer) more powerful motors and the freedom to use a throttle. All Pedego Electric Bikes sport 500 watt motors with twice the power of a typical mid drive, and they provide full power on demand with a twist-and-go throttle.

Maintenance

Mid drive motors are notoriously high maintenance. They put extraordinary strain on the drivetrain of the bike and cause the chain, chainring, derailleur, and cassette to wear out much more rapidly than usual. These parts are expensive and inconvenient to replace.

Hub motors are completely sealed and self-contained, and they require no additional maintenance.

User-Friendly

Mid drive motors force you to constantly shift gears while riding, and many people are intimidated and/or annoyed by all this extra hassle.

Bikes with hub motors are far more pleasant and easy to ride. They seamlessly deliver power right where it’s needed – working totally independent of your pedaling and gear shifting. It’s almost like the difference between driving a manual and automatic car.

Battery Placement

For everyday riding conditions, the obvious place for the battery is the rear rack. It’s the most convenient and logical way to carry extra weight on any bike.

Most experienced bicycle commuters and tourists carry their luggage on the rear rack for the same reason – It just makes sense.

For extreme off-road riding it’s nice to have the weight of the battery more evenly distributed in the downtube of the bike with a lower center of gravity. The Pedego Trail Tracker and Ridge Rider both feature a downtube battery for that style of riding.

But not everyone is a hardcore mountain biker, and the difference is hardly noticeable for average electric bike rider. For casual riding or commuting on typical streets and paths, it’s kind of like splitting hairs.